Ukraine needs air defense missiles to deter Russian aviation near borders, Air Force states
Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force (Photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine needs additional missiles and air defense systems to be able to deter enemy aviation far from the border, according to the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yurii Ihnat.
According to him, the issue of supplying missiles for air defense systems, as well as additional systems, is constantly being monitored. Ukraine is discussing this with its allies. However, it should be understood that air defense systems not only help repel enemy attacks on Ukrainian territory but also keep enemy aviation further away from the border.
"We need additional missiles or systems to continue conducting effective air defense battles. We need missiles not only to destroy Russia's cruise or ballistic missiles but also to deter Russian aviation from approaching Ukrainian-controlled territory. This is a key issue along the entire border. Even starting from Belarus, there is enemy aviation activity there too," says Ihnat.
Attack on Belbek airfield: Destruction of aircraft
On January 31, a series of explosions occurred in temporarily occupied Crimea. The occupiers claimed a supposed launch of 20 missiles, which they claimed to have successfully shot down. In turn, the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Oleshchuk, hinted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck at the Belbek airfield.
Initially, an anonymous Russian Telegram channel Kremlin tabakerka reported the loss of two Su-27 aircraft, one Su-30, and 12 deaths, including pilots, at Belbek.
On February 2, the spokesman for the Air Force, Yurii Ihnat, stated that at the Belbek airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea, at least three Russian aircraft and personnel were hit during the attack on January 31.
